Impulse-producing mechanism.



lA. H. ADAMS & H. PFANNENSTIEHL.

IMPULSE PRODUCING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. I9. l9l4.

Patented Nov. 2, 1915.

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A. H. ADAMS & H. PFANNENSTIEHL.

. IMPULSE PRODUCING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION HLED Aue. 19. 1914.

1,158,951 v Patented Nov. 2, 1915.

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UNITED sTATEs PATENT OFFICE.

HARRY PFANNENSTIEHL, OF ANTWERP, BELGIUM, AND ARTHUR HERMAN ADAMS. OFSPARKILL, NEW YORK, ASSIGNORS TO WESTERN ELECTRIC COMPANY, OF, NEW YORK,N. Y., A CORPORATION 0F ILLINOIS.

IMPULSE-PRODUCING MECHANISM.

specification or Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 2, 1915.

Application led ,August 19, 1914. Serial No. 857,493.

To all whom it may concern.'

Be it known that we, HARRY PFANNEN- s'rIEni. and ARTHUR HERMAN ADAMS,citizens of the United States of America, residing'at 112 VRue vanSchoonbeke, Antwerp, Sparkill, Rockland county, State of New York,United States of America. respectively, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in Impulse-Producing Mechanisms, of which thefollowing is a full, clear, concise, and exact description.

This invention relates to impulse producing mechanisms particularly asadapted 'for use. in automatic telephone exchange systems being of thetype known as dial senders or fingerwheels That is to say, the*inventlon relates to an nnpulse mechanism located at the subscribersstatlon by Whlch hecontrols the operation of the automatic selectorswitches at the central or switching station.

One of the objects of the invention is to produce a reliable and simpleimpulse producing mechanism of small compass and positive operation.

A particular feature of the invention, therefore, whereby an impulsemechanism of the type referred to may be made of compact' compasscontaining all the essential elements thereof without sacrificing eitherthe efficiency or the durability thereof, involves such an arrangementthat the governor by which the impulse producing part is controlled inits impulse producing movement is carried" by and moves with such part.y f

A\nother feature directed to the saine end involves an arrangementwhereby the governor lies in part above the plane of the finger disk bywhich the impulse producing part is adapted to be manually set beforethe initiation of its impulse producing movement. By means of thisfeature the usual rotating parts of a device of this character may beassociated with one another in a very compact arrangement, the governorbeing so arranged with relation thereto that it projects bevond theplane of such rotating parts without interfering in any way with itsoperation and function, at the same time permitting the entire structureto be of the smallest possible compass consistent with number, structureand essential interrelation of the parts to be inclosed.

Another feature relates to the arrangement of the teeth or projectionson the impulse producing part or wheel of a device of the characterreferred to, such an arrangement providing that the teeth are located on'a periphery of said wheel, and coperate with a lever for operating theirpulse contacts to move such lever to affect such Contacts only whensuch impulse producing part or wheel is moving in a given direction.

Another feature relating specifically to devices of this character inwhich the number plate carrying the numbers by which the openings on thefinger disk may be identified, is a separate element from such fingerdisk, and involves such an arrangement of the device that said fingerdisk and number plate move together, the number plate being locatedbehind the finger disk so that during the movement of the finger disk inthe impulse producing movement of the device the numbers upon the numberplate are not readily distinguishable through the openings of saidfinger disk. Due to this arrangement of the number plate and the fingerdisk the user will not attempt to actuate the finger disk during thereturn movement thereof.

Still another feature relating specifically to devices of this type inwhich the setting movement of the finger disk is againstthe tension of aspring in such a manner that power is stored up in such spring to returnthe impulse producing parts to normal from a set position, involves thatsuch spring is located in a tubular stud upon which stud certain of therotatable parts of the device are mounted.

Other features of the invention relate to the manner in which thegovernor is car-` ried by the finger disl ,`the relation of the governorto the other parts of the device, the manner in which the various partsare inclosed, and details of the4 driving mechanism for said governor,which features however will sufficiently appear from a de` scription ofthe embodiment of the invention as hereinafter set forth.

In the drawings in which similar reference characters indicate the sameparts in the different figures thereof: Figure 1 is a front view of animpulse mechanism embodying the invention with the coverremoved andcertain parts brokenaway 'in order to show more clearly certain interiorarrangements thereof, Fig. 2 is a section on lines 2 2 of Fig. 1, Fig. 3is a front view of the device with the ingerhole disk, governor andcertain other parts removed, Fig. 4 shows the star-wheel, impulse leverand contact springs, for clearness the star-wheel being shown detachedfrom its supporting parts, Fig. 5 is a front view of the completedevice, Fig. 6 is a detail ofthe rotatable. governor carrying part, Fig.7 is a section on the line 7-7 of Fig. 6, Fig. 8 shows the impulselever.

In these figures 1() represents the outer casing to which is fastenedlthe plate 11 carrying the contact spring 12 and the contact member 13together with the pivotally mounted impulse lever 14. Spring 15 holdssuch lever 14 in the position shown in Fig. 4, the free end of suchspring resting in a groove formed on the under side of such lever. Theplate 11 is fastened to the casing 10 in any desired manner, `such as byscrews passing through the holes 16-16.

Also mounted upon and fastened to the plate 11 by the rivets 17-17 isthe tubular mounting shaft or stud 18 having a shouldered portion 19 anda threaded portion 20.

A. circular dished plate 21 is adapted t0 be mounted upon said Astud`and fit around the shouldered portion 19 thereof. Riveted to this plateon the rear thereof is the starwheel 22 provided with teeth ada'pted tocooperate with the impulse lever 14 as such "star-'wheel rotates. Asshown, the teeth comprise nine'small teeth 23 and one longer ltooth 24.4Mounted on the flat forward annular portion of the plate 21 andfastened thereto by means of screws adapted. to enter the holes 25, is aframe casting 26 adapted to carryfthe governor 27 and the pinion 28 andupon-which is also mounted the worm-Wheel 30 cooperating with saidgovernor. 'On the front of the frame 26 and extending laterally beyondsuch part the arcuate piece 3l in which are formed the linger-holes bywhich the device is operated by the telephone user. Part 31 is fastenedto the frame w26 by means of screws A ratchet wheel 33 is screwed downupon the threaded portion of the mounting stud 18. By means of theshoulder 19 the ratchet wheel 33 will be prevented from exerting anybinding pressure upon the-plate 21. The ratchet wheel 33 has a forwardlyextending tubular portion upon which is mounted in close association,butl not fastened thereto, a dished gear wheel 34. The thickness of thegear wheel 34 as mounted upon the tubular portion of the ratchet wheel33 is such that the nut also adaptwheel 34 may be rotatedin a clockwisedirection, the engagement of the pawl v36 with a tooth of the ratchetwheel 33 will positively prevent the rotation of such gear wheelv in acounter-clockwise direction.

Inside the tubular stud 18 is'located a spring supporting rod 37 to theinner end of which is riveted a winged plate 38 which is adapted to t inan opening 39 in the plate 11 and against a cut-away portion of the baseof said stud 18.

Mounted on the rod 37 is the coiled spring 40. This spring is fastenedat its inner end to the plate 38 and atits outer end is adapted to befastened to a centrally extending hub portion 4l of the frame 26 in amanner to be hereinafter described. The frame 26 (shown more clearly inFigs. 6 and 7) is formed of a generally annular portion with anoutwardlyextending part 42 and an inwardly extending hub part 41.Between an arm 43 of the part 26 and the dished plate 21 is adapted tobe carried the pinion 28. Coperating with the worm-wheel 30 of suchpinion and carried between the part 42 and the shoulder 44 on theannular portion of the part 26, is the governor 27. This governor is ofordinary construction and need not be described in detail.

F astenedbetween the forwardly extending periphery of the plate 21 andthe frame 26 is the number plate'48. This plate, as'y will be noted fromFig.v 2, lies behind thel finger-hole part 31 and the numbers indicatedthereon stand behind the respective holes in such part 31.

Fastened to the base plate 11 and-eX.- tending through the side of thecasing is the finger stop 49. Also fastened to and insulated from theplate 11 are the usual conductor terminals50 and 51. The contact spring12 and contactl member 13 are also insulated from the base plate.

The circuit may be arranged in any man-y ner desired, provided, ofcourse, that such the device may be properly protected. This cover mayhave upon the face thereof any necessary instructions to the telephoneuser,

relating to the operation of the device.

In assembling the impulse mechanism shown herein the tubular mountingstud 18 and contact members and terminals are first secured to the plate11. The dished plate 21 to which the star Wheel 22 is attached is thenplaced in position on the mounting stud. The ratchet Wheel 33 is thensecurely screwed down upon the threaded portion of the mounting stud andthe gear wheel 34 placed in position on the tubular hub portion of saidratchet Wheel, the hole 53 in said gear wheel being provided to assistin properly locating the'pawl 36 in connection with the teeth of theratchet wheel 33. Ylfhese parts being in position the nut 35 is screweddown firmly upon the tubular mounting stud to hold the ratchet wheel 33in xed position with relation to the tubular4 mounting stud 18. Thedished plate 21 carrying the star wheel 22 is free, however, to rotatein either direction upon such mounting stud and the gear wheel34 is freeto rotate in a clockwise direction upon such being only prevented fromrotating in a counter-clockwise direction by the pawl 36 coperating withthe ratchet wheel 33. The rod 37 and winged plate 38 carrying the spring40 is placed in position in the tubular mounting stud 18, and the frame26 with the governor 27 mounted thereon, in a manner readily to beobserved from thedrawings, is fitted in positionon the dished plate 21with the number plate 48 between them and the pinion 28 placed in itsbearings in the frame 26 and the plate 21. The frame 26 is lirmlyscrewedto the plate 21 by means of the screws 32 which also serve to hold thenumber plate in proper position. In locating the frame 26 the hubportion 41 thereof has been fitted upon the top of the tubular mountinstud 18 and the extension 54 of the spring rawn therethrough. Theseparts having been assembled in the manner described the casing 10 withthe stop 49 extending through an opening in the side thereof is placedAover the rear of these parts and the base portion is firmly fastened tothe plate 11 by means of screws entering the openings 16 therein. Thestop 49 is also screwed to the plate 11 by screws passing through theportion thereof inside the casing, such screws being accessible throughan opening in the back of the casing. The projecting lug 55 on the frame26 is placed adjacent to the inward extension 56 of the stop member andthe extension 54 of the spring is turned in a clockwise direction untilthe proper tension is given to the spring 40 and such extension is thensnapped into one of the slots 55 to maintain the spring under thetension established. Owing studto the tension given the spring 40 thewinged plate 38 has been rotated slightly to clamp itself in the mannerof a bayonet joint in the undercut portion of the base of the stud 18 sothat the rod 37 is now fastened in position with the spring under propertension. Finally the cover 52 is placed in position and screwed downupon the frame 26.

The impulse mechanism as shown herein while it is adapted for many usesin connection with telephone systems of widely varying character isparticularly designed for systems in which the respective series ofcontrolling impulses are formed of circuit interruptions Varying innumber according to the particular digit which it is desired to send,each of such series of interruptions being lnade up of one long impulse(the last one sent) and if more than one impulse is to be sent, of thenecessary number of short impulses preceding such long impulse. Furythermore, in the particular type of systems in which it is desired touse the mechanism herein disclosed the number of impulses actuallyproduced in the circuit is the complement of the digit to be sent and 1naccordance with which the device is operated. That is to say-to send thedigit 9, one impulse (the long one) is produced in the circuit: '.losend the digit 8, two impulses-a short one and then the long one T osend the digit 7, three impulses-two short impulses followed by the onelong impulse: To send the digit 1, nine impulses-that is eight shortimpulses followed by the one long impulse, and to send the digit 0, tenimpulses-that is nine short impulses followed by the one long impulse.

Assuming that the telephone user desires to send the digit 1, which itis noted should produce in the circuit eight short impulses followed bythe long impulse, he will insert his finger in the hole of the plate 31which rests before the number 1 upon the number plate 48 and turn suchplate 31 in a clockwise direction until his finger comes in contact withstop 49. 'In doing this he has turned with the plate 31 the frame 26,the number plate 48, the (lished plate 21 and the star wheel 22. In thisclockwise movement of the star wheel 22. the. teeth 24 and 23 as theypass and move the impulse lever 14 have caused 'such movement of thelever 14 without causing the lever to effect in any way the contactmembers 12 and 13. This controlled by the governor 27 for the reasonthat the gear wheel 34, being free to move ina clockwise direction, hasmoved With the frame 26 and the pinion 28 and consequently the governorhas not been operated.

In the clockwise movement of the lingerhole plate31 the movement of thehub portion 41 of the frame 26 With such finger-hole plate has causedthe spring 4Ql to be placed under vfurther tension to restore the frame'26, plate 21 and star Wheel 22 to their normal position when the plate31 is releasedl which engages such Wheel and Which is noW being carriedaround such gear Wheel in a counter-clockwise direction by the frame 26,voperates the governor 27 in the Wellknown manner to check to thenecessary eX- Vtent the speed of this counter-clockwise movement'of theparts.

InV the assumed clockwise movement of the star Wheel 22 the long tooth24 and eight ofv the short teeth 23 have been moved past the impulselever 14. Therefore in the counter-clockwise movement eight short teeth23 Will l be moved past the lever 14 and then the long tooth 24. As eachytooth in this counter-clockwise movement passes the lever 14,itdepresses the long arm of such lever thereby causing the contact armthereof to come -in contact with the contact spring 12 and vmove it outof engagement with the contact member 13 opening the circuit betweensuch spring and such member. The duration of the interruption of thecircuit depends upon'therate of movement and the angular widthlof theteeth. The rate of movement being maintained relatively constant by thegovernor. Eight short impulses, or interruptions, will be produced inthe circuit by the eight teeth. 23l as they pass by the impulse lever14, such eight short impulsesbein'g followed by one long impulse. orinterruption, of the circuit, produced by the longer ydepression of thelong arm of the impulse lever 14Aby the long tooth 24. After'thecompletion of the long impulse the vmoving parts coming into normalposition Will be positively stopped in such position by the engagementof the lug 55 with the extension 56 upon-the stop member. To send anyother digit a corresponding operation Will take place, the proper numberof impulses being sent for each digit, the last impulse always being thelonger one produced by the tooth 24.

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It will be obvious that if desired the impulses produced might beclosures of the circuit, instead of being interruptions of movable partcomprising means for actuat- 1 ing said contacts, a governor operativelyassociated With said part to control its speed during its impulseproducing movement, said governor being carried by and moving with saidpart.

2. In an impulse mechanism, the combination with a pair of contacts, amanually movable part comprising means for actuat- ,1n0' said ,contactsa overnor o erativelv` b 7 n associated `with said part to control itsspeed during its impulse producing movement, said governor being carriedin a recessed portion of said part.

3. In an impulse mechanism, the combination With a pair of contacts, ofa manually movable part comprising means for actuating said contacts, afinger disk, and a governor for controlling the impulse producingmovement of said part,.said governor ...beingcarried by said part, andlying 1n par above the plane of said nger disk, A

4. In an impulse mechanism, the combination With a pair of contacts, ofa toothed Wheel for actuating said contacts, a finger disk for settingsaid Wheel and a governor for controllingy the speed of movement of saidWheel, a common support for said finger Wheel and governor arranged tomove with said Wheel, and a shaft upon which said support and Wheelrotate.

5. In an impulse mechanism, the combination with a pair of contacts, ofa part adapted to control` the same comprising a nger disk and agovernor, a common support for said governor and finger disk, saidsupport being recessed to carry said governor and also provided with acentrally extending portion, and a shaft extending 'through an openingin said 'portion andlabout Which said support rotates.

6. In an impulse mechanism, the combina- .tion With a pair of contacts,of a manuallymovable part adapted to control the same land having alinger disk by means of Which it is set, a motor for restoring saidpart,` and a governor controlling the speed of said restoring movement,said4 governor being (loatld in part above the plane of said finger 7.In an impulse mechanism, the combination with a pair of contacts, amanually movable part adapted to control the same comprising in part afinger disk having an opening for each digit and a number plate behindsuch linger disk, a spring. for restoring said part, said inger disk andnumber plate being adapted to move together in both directions.

8. In an impulse mechanism, the combination with a pair of contacts, ofa movable spring-restored part comprising a finger disk, a plate, atoothed Wheel and a cover plate, said toothed Wheel being adapted toactuate ysaid contacts, said plate and cover plate being shaped to formtogether a chamber, and a governor controlling the restoring movement ofsaid part and located in said chamber.

9. In an impulse mechanism, the combination with a pair of contacts, ofa springrcstored supporting plate, a pair of concave platesand a fingerdisk attached thereto, a Y. toothed wheel mounted upon the rear one iofsaid plates and adapted to actuate said contacts, said plates formingan enlarged chamber centrally of said finger disk, and a governormounted upon Said support Within said chamber, and adapted to controlthe speed of said toothed Wheel.

10. InV an impulse mechanism, the combination with a pair of contacts,of a springrestored supporting plate, a pair of concave plates and afinger disk attached thereto, a toothed wheel mounted upon the rear oneof said plates and adapted to actuate said vadapted to be rotated `byhand andin its restoring movement to control said contacts, said partbeing mounted to rotate upon a hollow st ud, a spring for restoring saidpart, a base plate, and a plate to which said spring is attached,l Saidplate being secured to said stud by a bayonet joint between an undercutportion of said stud and the base plate, and the other end of saidspring being secured to the said rotating part.

12. In an impulse mechanism, the combination with a pair of contacts, aspringrestored movable part adapted to control said contacts, a governormovable with said part and adapted to control the restoring movementthereof, and a gear wheel movable with said part in its setting movementbut being restrained frommovlng during the return movement, saidgovernor in such return movement being operatively connected to saidgear'and being thus driven thereby.

13. In an impulse mechanism, the combination with a pair of contacts, aspringvrestored movable part adapted" to control said contacts, agovernor movable with said part and adapted to control the restoringmovement thereof, a fixed ratchet wheel, and a gear lwheel movable 'withsaid part during its setting movement and carrying a pawl adapted toengage said ratchet wheel during the return movement of said part, saidgovernor in such return movement being driven by Said gear Wheel.

14. In an impulse mechanism, the combination with a back plate, a pairof contacts and a lever for actuating the same mounted thereon, a fixedratchet Wheel, a, manually movable part comprising a finger disk, an

impulsewheel for operating said lever, a v

governor for said wheel, a gear wheel, and

a pawl carried by said gear Wheel and rid` ing loosely over the teethofA said ratchet wheel during the setting of said finger disk butengaging said teeth and being held rigid during the return movement,said governor being operatively connected to and driven by said gearwheel in such restoring movement to control the speed of said impulsewheel.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 28th day of JulyA. D. 1914.

HARRY PFANNENSTIEHL. Witnesses:

F. T. WooDwARD, il. TUCK SHERMAN. In Witness whereof, I hereuntosubscribe my name'this 17 day of August, A. D. 1914.

ARTHUR HERMAN ADAMS. Witnesses:

E. EDLER, K. L. STAHL.

